Slattery - Tom
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 27 July 1894 p 7
The bad name which is attached to the settlement of saloons just beyond Sperry's bridge was in nowise removed by the awful tragedy enacted there last night. Respectable people fear to drive along that part of the road from the bridge to the "Last Chance" by night and avoid the place so far as possible by day. At night bad men and worse women frequent the place drinking at the saloon and racing up and down the road in a shameful manner. Again is the attention of the police attracted to this foul section in a starting manner. Last evening Tom Slattery, the son of Patrick Slattery of Bluff Street and Loren Cunningham, a son of Ben Cunningham, went to Walter's barn and harnessing one of Walter's rigs started out. It is not yet made evident where they were during the entire time. They were in the Valley however and shortly before 11 o'clock came flying along the road toward town, attracting very general attention as they passed. At 6 o'clock Mart Hinton, a log hauler had left his loaded wagon at the roadside just beyond the road leading to Oak Hill Cemetery. At At that it was quite dark and for one approaching from the north the wagon was not visible until quite near. When Slattery and Cunningham came along the road here their horse was running and closely behind them in another buggy were two New Ross Boys, Homer Beck and the notorious "Spot" McGuffin. Slattery and Cunningham were driving evidently to one side of the road and going very rapidly some claim their horse was running off, when suddenly the saw log wagon with its load loomed up before them. The horse was given a jerk to one side and turned out in time to save himself but too late to save the occupants of the buggy. With a crush, the buggy went against the huge wheels of the buggy .. the horse loose and allowing him freedom to run unincumbered to Walters barn where he arrived hot and steaming. But what of the boys in the buggy? When it struck the wagon young Slattery was thrown with terrible force forward from his seat and his head struck the solid end of a large oak log squarely and fairly. The poor fellow never breathed again. His head was crushed like an egg shell and he doubtless never realized what hurt him so suddenly was his fate presented. His lifeless body was hurled back into the ruins of the buggy and their remained until removed to his home. Young Cunningham did not strike the log wagon but was hurled some 15' forward in the road striking on his head. He was picked up unconscious and taken home. He is still only semi-conscious and has received severe injuries. Dr. Ensminger the attending physician pronounced his recovery as exceedingly doubtful. Beck and McGuffin were the first men on the scene and both of them claim they did not know a thing of the accident until they came upon the wreck. As they were only a very short distance behind this statement is very extraordinary and they were surely very sleepy or very much preoccupied, probably the latter. Dave Pine ? and Ed Pennifeather heard the crash although further away than the New Ross gentlemen and hurried to the rescue. Others soon came up and the dead and injured were taken in charge. John Walter states that the horse the boys were driving had been taken without permission by Loren Cunningham, better known as Shanty Bob who until recently worked at the barn. Mr. Walter further states that the animal is a family horse and perfectly gentle. The Slattery boy who was killed was 24 (? - smudged) years old and was a teamster.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Thursday, 26 July 1894
The funeral of Thomas Slattery was held this morning at the Catholic Church.